Separated parents and the school: making sure one of you answers

What schools are told

The Department for Education's guidance on parental responsibility says school staff must treat all parents equally, that anyone who is a parent under education law can participate in their child's education, and that all parents can receive information about their child. It also says the school's register should hold at least one phone number for contacting each resident parent in an emergency, and that schools should ask parents for a copy of the most recent court order in place.

What happens on the day

When a child is unwell or hasn't been collected, the school works down its contact list one number at a time. Whose week it is doesn't change who the school rings first: the order on the form does. If the first parent is in a meeting or driving, the school moves on, and the other parent may hear about it later, or second-hand.

How to make it work

1. Agree the order between you, ideally whoever is most often free during the school day first.
2. Make sure both of you are on the form, with numbers that are up to date, and a third contact you both trust, such as a grandparent.
3. Tell the school about changes together, or in writing, so nobody is left off by mistake.
4. Save the school's number on both your phones, and let it through silent mode (Emergency Bypass on an iPhone).

When this isn't right for your family

If there's a court order about contact, or a safeguarding concern, or one parent shouldn't be contacted, the order and the school's own arrangements always come first. Give the school a copy, and talk to it about how it will contact you. Nothing on this page, or in MyCirCall, changes who has parental responsibility or what the school may share.

Where MyCirCall fits

When both parents agree, one MyCirCall Number on the school form rings you both at the same time, and anyone else you both trust. Whoever is nearer answers and presses 5. One of you holds the account; the other joins the CirCall by accepting an invitation with a PIN, and can leave whenever they like.

MyCirCall is not an emergency service. In an emergency, always call 999 or 112.

Sources

• Department for Education, Understanding and dealing with issues relating to parental responsibility (updated 24 August 2023)
• Department for Education, Keeping children safe in education 2026, paragraph 126
• Apple, Allow or silence notifications for a Focus on iPhone (Emergency Bypass)

Sources checked on 16 October 2026. Each organisation's own guidance can change, so check with your school, care home or hospital for how they work.